Disclaimer: Everything belongs to my idol, J.K. Rowling.
MEASLES
Chapter 3: For the Love of Hermione
The morning sun behind the curtains made Hermione blank, she opened her eyes slowly. She glanced at the small cauldron shaped clock on the wall. Although it was very early, she felt very vigorious herself. Then she quickly glanced at Ginny's bed. It was empty and gathered. Hermione assumed that she had been at breakfast in kitchen.
Tentatively, she got up from bed, her head spinning a little, since she had been lying for two days, and she opened the window to get some fresh air. She inhaled tensely to feel the lovely summer air inside her, she regretted being ill, in such a beautiful weather.
She was bored to death. Lying in the bed entire day, being squeezed in a small room, limited things to do… were really hard to bear. She wasn't allowed to go downstairs since she was still ill, only Ginny was her visitor, and Mrs. Weasley to check her if she had drunk her potion and eaten her meals properly. Sometime Fleur had visited her to only shake her head in pity, saying "poo thing bad disastee" something like that. And Mr. Weasley had come to see her last night if she had been all right. But suprisingly, much to Hermione's like for sure, Ron had come to see her for once, just popping his head to check her.
She walked towards Ginny's desk to find something to entertain herself, which contained papers, unwrapped letters, inks, and a lot of stuff on it. She found a hand mirror under a book and peeked at her reflection right away. "Horrible" she groaned as she saw the little red spots on her face. Instantaneously, she put the mirror back almost hiding it. Then she found a radio. Remembering she had never listened a wizard radio, she switched it on curiously. Suddenly the room filled with the melody of a weird song, which Hermione had never heard before.
…I've charmed my heart
To offer you the best love.
Hermione smiled to herself as she noticed the lyrics of the song. It was funny but remarkable in the mean time. It was oddly familiar. She went to lie down on her bed again, listening the song enthusiastically.
As if under a curse
I see your eyes,
She was lost in the melody of the song as the door opened out of the blue.
"Hermione you are awake!" Ginny beamed, as she entered the room, carrying a breakfast tray for Hermione in her hands.
"Yeah, Morning," Hermione said brightly, trying to hide her grin in the meantime.
"Listening to Weird Sisters, huh?" Ginny asked smiling, gesturing the radio with her head.
"Oh, yeah." Hermione answered. "I am bored and your mother doesn't let me to read something!" she complained ruefully, pursing her lips. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Hermione, try and let's see if you can read anything!" she remarked.
"I already did. It's dizzy," said Hermione, looking up at her face innocently. Ginny laughed, shaking her head, as she handed the breakfast tray to Hermione.
"Seventeen!" Hermione cried abruptly.
"What?" Ginny asked, looking confused.
"I have seventeen red spots on my face!" Hermione sighed, leaning back onto her pillows.
"Hermione you didn't count seriously!" Ginny shook her head in disbelief.
"Yes, I did!"
"Don't worry! Your potion is almost ready. Mum is about to finish it. They will be gone forever in a couple of days, I promise." Ginny patted her on the shoulder. Hermione smiled.
"What has been going on downstairs, anyway?" she asked curiously as she started to munch on her pancake.
"Well… Let me start from Phlegm," said Ginny as she perched on the edge of her bed. "It is the sixth time her deciding to change the model of her wedding dress - mum doesn't even complain anymore, I know she secretly praying for it wouldn't be ready in time. And unfortunately tomorrow I have to go to Madam Malkin with her for fitting. I wouldn't have cared if I wore a rag believe me." Hermione chuckled at this comment. "Anyway Bill and Dady are still too busy at work and if you ask Ron, sure you do, he had degnomed the garden after he visited you." She added meaningfuly.
"Visit – me –when – no –" Hermione tried to protest immediately.
"Hermione I know!" said Ginny, arching an eyebrow at her. Hermione didn't answer but sank even lower under her blanket.
"Anyway, I should go, loads of work waiting for me," she said leaping to to her feet. "Twins are coming for dinner today for your information. I don't think they will miss the chance to see you!" Ginny added winking at her, before she walked out of the room closing the door behind her.
No need to hide it dear
It is too simple to realise…
-000-
That day, meanwhile Hermione was stuck in her room, Ron couldn't find a spare time to take a break. He helped his mother while she preparing the potion. He wrote a letter to Harry which informing that Hermione had been ill. He cleaned the attic. He polished his broom. He even helped Ginny to wash the dishes, and at the end of the day without realising the clocks chimed eight o'clock and twins appeared in the fireplace. Ron's heart gave an odd thump, as heremembered the promise. He studied their face right away to make sure if they got something for him. The moment George nodded him positively; Ron gave out a sigh of relief.
After a cheerful dinner, which lasted forever for Ron's opinion, finally Fred called out Ron and gestured him with his eyes to follow them to the garden. They went outside, ignoring the suspicious glares Ginny giving them. Once they were out of the earshot, Fred pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Ron.
"What is this?" Ron asked hesitantly, staring at the tiny bottle in his hand.
"It's a potion, my dear brother!" Fred explained, smirking as he leaned againts the hedges.
"What is it for?" asked Ron cautiously, looking at his face.
"It is a protective potion. Once you drink it, you will be protected againts the Measles for exactly one hour!" he stated quietly, looking around to make sure nobody is listening.
Ron's eyes widened. "That is great. Where did you find it?" he asked incredulously, his eyes flickering between Fred and George.
"Well, We have connections…" George smirked, sitting onto a bench across Fred.
"Anyway, tonight you will enter the room and speak to Hermione!" Fred said, his eyes twinkling.
Ron's smile suddenly fell. "What about Ginny? She is sleeping with her in the same room!" he stated, shaking his head in despair. Twins nodded in agreement.
"Therefore we have to tell her!" George simply stated.
"What? Are you crazy?" Ron yelled, throwing his hands in the air. "No way…" he protested, stamping his feet in frustration.
"Ron do you know what? You're really thick! How on earth you are going to get inside the room while Ginny sleeping there?" asked Fred, looking at him incredulously. Ron huffed with annoyance.
"She wouldn't agree. She has been trying to hinder even a little glimpse. She wouldn't let me stay in her room," he pressed on stubbornly.
"Ron she would understand."
"What if she would refuse and turn us in?" Ron's eyes widened as the scene her mother finding him in Hermione's room flashed in his mind. "She kills me!" he winced.
"Do you have any idea then?" asked George impatiently, raising his eyebrows.
"No," Ron shook his head, defeated.
Seeing that he had no other option, reluctanty he accepted their offer. And before he changed his mind George called out Ginny right away.
"Oi, Ginny!"
After a moment or two, Ginny appeared on the doorframe as if she had been expecting them to call her.
"Yeah?" She said leaning againts to wall, trying to hide the devil smirk on her face.
"We have something to tell you!" George blurted out, they all smiling at her sheepishly.
"I reject!" she exclaimed, becoming suddenly stern. They shocked at her outburst. Ron groaned, running his hands over his face.
"What? We haven't said a word yet!" Fred cried, staring at her unbelievingly.
"Well, Ron and twins are together. It is an extraordinary situation. But I know what you're up to! I know you're planning to get Ron inside Hermione's room," said Ginny who obviously did not seem to have taken kindly to being disregarded.
"Don't look at me like that, I am your sister," she indicated as they kept staring her incredulously. Then twins looked relieved as if that was a reasonable explanation.
"Ginny, please listen," Ron pleaded looking at her with his best puppy dogface.
"Ok," she said, sighing. "What do you want from me?" she asked, her hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow. Fred, George, and Ron exchanged a doubtful look.
"You know, Ron has been practising to talk to Hermione since he came home." Fred started to tell her warily. Ginny nodded in agreement, rolling her eyes. "Yesterday we found this potion," he continued, indicating the tiny bottle Ron holding. "It's a protective potion and it will protect Ron againts Measles for an hour. So we want you to let Ron to enter in your room and not to tell to mum a word!" Fred finished hesitantly, raising his eyebrows. Ron held his breath.
"What's my profit?" asked Ginny shamelessly, as she sat down next to George. Her eyes were full of mischief.
"Profit?" Ron interrupted angrily. "Have you ever heard something such as favour? I am your brother after all." he exclaimed pathetically. However Ginny shrugged, looking indifferent.
"I have a proposal," she started, folding her arms across her chest. "I will let Ron inside tonight and- " she paused for a dramatic effect as she saw boys' eyes widened.
"And tomorrow you will help me to get rid of Fleur!"
Ron, Fred and George exchanged a look that plainly said 'we have no choice' and after a moment all nodded in agreement.
"Deal!"
"Let's talk about it, then!" Ginny rubbed her hands together, grinning deviously, looking rather pleasant from the deal.
"Ok here is the plan. After everybody went to their beds, I wil make sure Hermione got her potions and she is ok, I will knock on your door to inform you. And without being seen, you will enter the room. For only one hour!" she added pointedly, looking at Ron directly.
"All right!" Ron rolled his eyes indignantly.
"You are certain that it is ok to drink, aren't you?" Ron asked them after a moment, studying the bottle in his hands, still feeling nervous depending on twins. Twins frowned at him.
"Of course." Fred retorted. "Since yesterday we have been researching for this potion, Ron. You have to be thankful," he said reproachfully while George smirked slightly.
"What are the side effects of the potion?" Ron pointed out sceptically, narrowing his eyes.
Fred smacked his hand to his forehead. "We have forgetten to ask them!" Ron looked horrified. He gulped for air.
"We talk about Hermione here. You won't give up, will you?" George snapped incredously, looking bad-tempered. "If you don't want to talk to her, it is all right with us," he said before he leaned over Ron trying to snatch the potion bottle. Ron stepped back reflexively.
"Come on, Ron. Don't be a coward. Hermione worths to try," said Ginny, winking at him meaningfully.
Ron grumbled and flushed a deep grade of red.
"All right we're off then," said Fred, getting up to his feet patting Ron on the back sympathetically. George imitated his brother. They all went inside the house.
"She is ill Ron, don't push your luck too far!" Fred whispered in his ear before they stepped inside the fireplace and disappeared.
-000-
It was just midnight. Half an hour ago, claiming that he had been exhausted, biding 'Good night' to everyone, Ron had come to his room. It felt like forever waiting inside the room, alarmed. He shot a glance at the tiny bottle. Something in his mind said that it was not safe to drink. But he had no other option. And he had to be grateful. He wondered where did twins get the potion. However, it didn't matter at the moment.
He opened his drawer slowly and found his Extendable Ears. Walking hastily towards the door, he glued it on the door and started listening. There weren't any noise coming from outside and Ron deemed everybody had gone to bed. He sighed in relief. After checking himself on the mirror for the last time, he lay on his bed and started to wait for Ginny. While waiting in excitement, suddenly he realised that he had no idea what to talk to Hermione. His heart gave an odd thump. He had been practising for a long time but it seemed too abrupt. Suddenly he heard a knock on the door. He jerked with the noise. His heart began to race.
He opened the door tentatively. Seeing it was no other than Ginny, he gave a sigh of relief.
Ginny entered his room and closed the door hastily.
"All right, are you ready?" she asked silently. Instead of replying, Ron grumbled incoherently. Ginny rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Come on drink the potion!" she suggested, grabbing the bottle and handed it to Ron.
"Do you want it or not Ron, don't waste my time," she said angrily as she saw his hesitation to drink the potion.
"All right!" Ron murmured.
He breathed a few time to relax, ignoring the glares giving her. After counting till three, he drank the potion in one gulp.
"Great," Ginny smiled encouragingly, patting him on the arm. Ron smiled back awkwardly, feeling a bit odd due to the potion. He opened the door quietly and walked out of the room, leaving Ginny behind with a mischievous grin on her face.